Improvement in vent-plugs



E. MILL & A. S. WETMORE.

Vent Pl ug.

No. 125,901, Patented Apri|23,1872..

WlTNESS/E S INVENTORS. I 64 rrn ra'rns ATEN IMPROVEME NT IN VENT-PLUGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,901, dated April 23, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

We, EDWARD MILL and ALBERT S. WET- MORE, of Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Wood and Metallic Bung and Vent, of which the following is a specification: I

This invention relates to a combined wood and. metal bung containing a device for selfventing, designed for beer and other liquor barrels, the coi rstruction and operation of which is as follows:

, Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is an external view. Fig. 2 is a vertical half-section.

A is a hung, turned out of suitable hard wood, having a shoulder turned on the upper end, to which is fitted a metal cap, B, sufficient space being left between the end of the wood and the top of the cap for the play of the vent mechanism. A suitable space may be cut out in the top of the wood for this mechanism, so that the cap might rest down on the end of the wood. The cap is for the protection of the wood, which has to be struck when the bung is driven into the barrel. Through the center of the bung is made a hole, 0, the lower end of which expands toward the end of the wood to form a chamber for the play of a rubber spring, D, secured to the bottom of the bung by a metal ferrule, E. Through the opening 0 passes a connecting-rod, F, attached to the center ofthe rubber D and to a lever, G, pivoted at the middle to a short post in the top of the wood, the other end of the lever G being connected to cone-shaped valve H. The seat for said valve'is secured in the end of the wood over a second hole, K, made through the bung, having its lower outlet at one side near the end, so as to communicate with the interior of the barrel. Through the cap B are made holes I I for the communication of air to the vent.

The operation of this bung is as follows: When the faucet of the barrel is opened for drawing the liquor, the tendency to form a vacuum draws on the rubber by suction of air in the chamber 0; the surface of the rubber being so much greater than the valve yields to the said suction, and, drawing on the rod F, opens the valve and permits a little air-to enter. The spring D, however, has sufficient tension to close the valve before air enough should enter to form an equilibrium, which keeps the liquor from becoming stale by the admission of too much air.

We claim- The rubber D, rod F, lever G, and valve H, in combination with the bung A, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

EDWARD MILL. A. S. WETMORE.

Witnesses:

GEo. A. KOLBE, AUG. G. KrnL. 

